Memorial Day observances across Maine honor fallen service members

SANFORD, Maine (WGME) — While some may see Monday as the unofficial start to summer, Maine leaders are using Memorial Day to honor those who served and sacrificed for our country.

There are more than 1,200 burials at the Southern Maine Veterans Cemetery. Veterans here Monday say each one of these gravestones not only represent an American who fought for this country, but someone who never asked anything in return for their sacrifice.

“Memorial Day is unlike any other day. Memorial Day is a national day of recognition,” U.S. Navy veteran Captain James Mentor said.

“I am visiting Jeffery Travis,” Ruthel LeTournaeu said. “He was my significant other. It’s kinda peaceful actually, I try to make it easy.”

Among the many Monday checking in on their relatives was Senator Susan Collins reminding Mainers what Memorial Day truly means.

“As we come together today, as we look at the rows of headstones, the flowers, and the flags, we see our history,” Collins said.

Other Maine leaders paying their respects to fallen veterans as well, including Senator Angus King.

“Celebrate Memorial Day have a great time with friends and family, but stop for a minute to remember the sacrifices of those who made it all possible,” King said.

While some may see Monday as the unofficial start to summer, Maine leaders are using Memorial Day to honor those who served. (WGME)

Governor Mills honoring veterans in Gouldsboro Monday writing to CBS 13: “We thank the men and women whose lives were lost in combat in the past, and we pray for the prompt return of those now serving in foreign lands.”

It’s been a somber few weeks in Maine with the passing of two Mainers: Maine game warden Joshua Tibbetts, who died in a plane crash, and Morrill firefighter Andrew Cross, who lost his life battling an intense blaze in Searsmont.

Senator Collins also in Searsmont, marching in a Memorial Day parade where firefighter Cross was honored.